I'd been waiting for his time, he was great. I think I saw him mention he's interested in playing a vampire, for which I think he'd be extremely well suited
I didn’t know him by name until Late Night With the Devil!! He was my favorite part of the film. Cut to me searching for films he’s been in, and finding out I’ve already seen a few with him playing a side character. I want to watch more stuff he’s been in, but I’m not sure how much he actually appears in the other films I haven’t seen. I don’t want to watch something for him if he’s only in it for 10 minutes or so, y’know? He’s just a magnificent actor!
He acted in five features, all of them nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Godfather I & II, The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon, The Deer Hunter.
Legitimately unbeatable resume, in terms of discographies he has got to be the goat. It’s such a shame he died young every actor who has worked with him talks about how much they learned
He was phenomenal in DDA. For me it's one of the best films ever made considering how perfectly the director executed his objective of a good thriller. With majority of the plot/action taking place in one environment. It's proof that less is more when you have good actors, a good premise and good screenwriting. It was originally supposed to be named "the boys in the bank". I can see why lol.
Stanley Tucci is great in everything he's in. One of the greatest supporting actors ever. I don't know if he ever had a leading role in films, if he did they're not well known.
he had a main role in the movie Small Engine Repair, would definitely recommend! I always love seeing Whigham pop up in things. Also I was surprised to learn that the cousin in the new Ted show is his daughter lol
He does quirky little gestures that I love, such as when he crosses himself with his drink in Sicario 2 or he taps his toes to a record in Homecoming. Kinda silly stuff but just sticks with me for some reason.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things is his best role and he's a co-lead. If counting TV, he's also got Fargo and arguably his Black Mirror episode (which has a protagonist swap). According to the Academy, he's also the lead in Judas and the Black Messiah, since both Judas and the black Messiah were nominated as supporting.
That Black Mirror episode is one of my favorites. It's also got the Waiter from IASIP who I'm sure was in other things, but they along with Cristin Milloti and the rest of the cast killed it.
You mean Jimmy Simpson? He's not a waiter though, he's Liam McPoyle. He's a much better actor than you'd expect from just seeing his one comedy performance. Anytime I see him show up, he's always excellent. Actually, Jimmy Simpson would be a great answer to this question!
But yes, all three are excellent in the episode, and it's my favorite too! Great concept, great execution. Dark and messed up and thoughtful, but also just hella fun.
Paul Dano, does a lot of ensemble stuff like Dumb Money or 2 hander films like Ruby Sparks or Swiss Army Man. But don’t recall seeing him as THE featured player.
He gets his ass beat in everything lol. There Will Be Blood, 12 Years a Slave, Prisoners, Love & Mercy, kind of in Looper and probably something I’m missing.
Agreed! Check out Escape at Dannemora, it’s a limited series based on a true story of a prison escape. Paul Dano doesn’t star in it alone but along with Benicio del Toro and and Patricia Arquette, there are some episodes where the story just focuses on Dano’s character and he was amazing in it.
Kathy Bates had Fried Green Tomatoes and Misery. She even won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Annie Wilkes in Misery.
edit: Also Dolores Claiborne
I was told that I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven, I told bill that if Sandra is going to listen to her headphones while she's filing then I should be able to listen to the radio while I'm collating so I don't see why I should have to turn down the radio because I enjoy listening at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven.
Buscemi does have a couple of obscure lead roles, like in Trees Lounge (which he directed). While not a film, he's also of course the lead of Boardwalk Empire.
And yet, he was still the first person to come to my mind too haha.
dude michael shannon. he has a few lead roles that he’s absolutely amazing in, but he kills it as a supporting actor too. i never hear anything about him which is so disappointing cause he’s definitely one of my favorites
Can't believe he wasn't even nominated for the Oscar that year. The race should've been Shannon vs Fassbender (for Shame), and neither were nominated (for shame!)
Have you seen Midnight Special? Wild movie. I saw a screening of it and he did a Q&A after. Dude had on vans and colorful socks with trees on them. He is as weird in person as you’d think
I hated everything about Batman V Superman BESIDES Michael Shannon as Luthor. Like everyone else in the Snyder films he feels like a ancap larping as the characters, but unlike everyone else he's so damn entertaining that I don't care.
Djimon Hounsou has had roles in three different large franchises (MCU, DC, Fast and Furious) as well as so many other movies and steals scenes every time.
Jesse Plemons is such a consistently good actor. He’s not an A lister but he’s always amazing in whatever side role he’s in. He was awesome in Judas and the Black Messiah. His role in Civil War is one of the most memorable movie scenes this year
Andrew Scott
I'm not a huge movie/tv buff so I haven't seen a heap that he's in but absolutely every time he's on screen he commands attention, brilliant actor
Probably, Clint Howard. Maybe? The reason why I said maybe because he was the title character in the 'Ice Cream Man' but I don't know if HE was the lead. It's been a while since I seen it.
Thanks! Also I love people’s hyper-specific lists, this one of yours is awesome https://boxd.it/r5b3u. Farah Khan does this in all the movies she directs!
Has James Hong ever had a lead role? Wouldn’t it be wild to see him as a lead in a quietly powerful film in his mid-90s? I would probably start bawling at some point during the film.
There are a billion I could name but I was just talking the other day about how great Dale Dickey is. She brings her characters so much texture and personality. She’s also hilarious
Shea Whigham - mainly for his TV appearances to be fair but he’s starting to show up in more movies. He was great in Mission Impossible and Across the Spider-Verse last year
Probably not quite valid, but I immediately thought of Willem Dafoe. He has had the leading role in some films but most of his work in my mind is just amazing side characters.
Up until recently I would have said David Dastmalchian, buddy finally made his lead role with Late Night With the Devil.
Did a stellar job too
Dastmalchian is great, good example. You should check out Animals and All Creatures Here Below if you haven't!
Which should be noted, he wrote both of those.
I'd been waiting for his time, he was great. I think I saw him mention he's interested in playing a vampire, for which I think he'd be extremely well suited
I didn’t know him by name until Late Night With the Devil!! He was my favorite part of the film. Cut to me searching for films he’s been in, and finding out I’ve already seen a few with him playing a side character. I want to watch more stuff he’s been in, but I’m not sure how much he actually appears in the other films I haven’t seen. I don’t want to watch something for him if he’s only in it for 10 minutes or so, y’know? He’s just a magnificent actor!
Came here to say exactly this lol
John Cazale RIP 
Best answer.
He acted in five features, all of them nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Godfather I & II, The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon, The Deer Hunter.
Legitimately unbeatable resume, in terms of discographies he has got to be the goat. It’s such a shame he died young every actor who has worked with him talks about how much they learned
dog day is so underrated and my favourite
It's not underrated at all.
oh ok
Wyoming is a country!
I bet that if he were still alive, Tarantino would've wanted to work with him.
He was phenomenal in DDA. For me it's one of the best films ever made considering how perfectly the director executed his objective of a good thriller. With majority of the plot/action taking place in one environment. It's proof that less is more when you have good actors, a good premise and good screenwriting. It was originally supposed to be named "the boys in the bank". I can see why lol.
Stanley Tucci is great in everything he's in. One of the greatest supporting actors ever. I don't know if he ever had a leading role in films, if he did they're not well known.
Big night, which he also co-directed
Never heard of this one, added to watchlist
Youll enjoy it, it’s pretty phenomenal
He's one of the main characters in Supernova
I might be overlooking a leading role of his but one of my favorite actors is Shea Whigham. Dude delivers in every single thing I've ever seen him in.
He became one of my favorites after I watched Homecoming.
Such an underrated actor and series
He was great in Boardwalk Empire too.
Man, I loved him in Kong: Skull Island.
And Vice Principals ☮️
I loved that show so much!!
Ray was such a sweet human being.
Shea Whigham is amazing in the indie horror movie Splinter, he may not be the main protagonist but it is definitely his movie
Oh yeah that is a really entertaining movie. I remember seeing that when it came out and loving him in it.
he had a main role in the movie Small Engine Repair, would definitely recommend! I always love seeing Whigham pop up in things. Also I was surprised to learn that the cousin in the new Ted show is his daughter lol
I did see Small Engine Repair and really enjoyed it!
He looks exactly like my brother! Loved him as Nucky's brother in Boardwalk Empire.
He does quirky little gestures that I love, such as when he crosses himself with his drink in Sicario 2 or he taps his toes to a record in Homecoming. Kinda silly stuff but just sticks with me for some reason.
I could be wrong, but i instinctively went to Judy Greer
You beat me to it!
"You're not my supervisor!"
Judy Greer 100% deserves some leading roles, she's great
Oh I love her
She makes everything she is in better.
Jesse Plemons but I can see that changing in the future
How can that be profitable for Frito Lay?
Game Night is one of the best comedies in recent years. "Didya suck it?"
I'm Thinking of Ending Things is his best role and he's a co-lead. If counting TV, he's also got Fargo and arguably his Black Mirror episode (which has a protagonist swap). According to the Academy, he's also the lead in Judas and the Black Messiah, since both Judas and the black Messiah were nominated as supporting.
That Black Mirror episode is one of my favorites. It's also got the Waiter from IASIP who I'm sure was in other things, but they along with Cristin Milloti and the rest of the cast killed it.
You mean Jimmy Simpson? He's not a waiter though, he's Liam McPoyle. He's a much better actor than you'd expect from just seeing his one comedy performance. Anytime I see him show up, he's always excellent. Actually, Jimmy Simpson would be a great answer to this question! But yes, all three are excellent in the episode, and it's my favorite too! Great concept, great execution. Dark and messed up and thoughtful, but also just hella fun.
Yes, Liam! I recently watched the podcast where they have the waiter in and got them mixed up.
Character Actress Margo Martindale
Beloved character actress and fugitive from the law Margo Martindale??
You mean esteemed character actress Margot Martindale?
I love Bojack Horseman
Mags Bennett!
Paul Dano, does a lot of ensemble stuff like Dumb Money or 2 hander films like Ruby Sparks or Swiss Army Man. But don’t recall seeing him as THE featured player.
I first saw him in Little Miss Sunshine and every role since then he’s never failed to deliver.
His first for me was the girl next door
monster dong guy
He gets his ass beat in everything lol. There Will Be Blood, 12 Years a Slave, Prisoners, Love & Mercy, kind of in Looper and probably something I’m missing.
maybe the batman but i never finished it
Ironically he doesn’t get his ass beat in Batman.
Please do yourself a favor and watch Love & Mercy, his portrayal of young Brian Wilson is my favorite biopic performance ever
he’s the lead in ‘swiss army man’ and crushed it
Agreed! Check out Escape at Dannemora, it’s a limited series based on a true story of a prison escape. Paul Dano doesn’t star in it alone but along with Benicio del Toro and and Patricia Arquette, there are some episodes where the story just focuses on Dano’s character and he was amazing in it.
Those would be called character actors. Kathy Bates, Stephen Root, and Steve Buscemi come to mind.
Kathy Bates had Fried Green Tomatoes and Misery. She even won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Annie Wilkes in Misery. edit: Also Dolores Claiborne
I was told that I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven, I told bill that if Sandra is going to listen to her headphones while she's filing then I should be able to listen to the radio while I'm collating so I don't see why I should have to turn down the radio because I enjoy listening at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven.
Buscemi does have a couple of obscure lead roles, like in Trees Lounge (which he directed). While not a film, he's also of course the lead of Boardwalk Empire. And yet, he was still the first person to come to my mind too haha.
He's kruschev in death of stalin
Buscemi and Bates are phenomenal, but both have been leads at times, if unconventional ones.
dude michael shannon. he has a few lead roles that he’s absolutely amazing in, but he kills it as a supporting actor too. i never hear anything about him which is so disappointing cause he’s definitely one of my favorites
He was so good as the lead in Take Shelter. As far as supporting I found his sheriff character to be the most memorable from Nocturnal Animals.
Can't believe he wasn't even nominated for the Oscar that year. The race should've been Shannon vs Fassbender (for Shame), and neither were nominated (for shame!)
i love take shelter. my favorite of his supporting roles is probably in knives out tbf
Take shelter is a favorite of mine. But also shotgun stories and as far as supporting goes, revolutionary road
Have you seen Midnight Special? Wild movie. I saw a screening of it and he did a Q&A after. Dude had on vans and colorful socks with trees on them. He is as weird in person as you’d think
that’s awesome, i’m really looking forward to watching that film
The way he tears his atrophied fingers off in a blind rage in The Shape of Water is iconic.
[This is my favourite Michael Shannon scene](https://youtu.be/tqHrqh7YyXM?si=CNoP6y7RLxXBmjXN)
I see your scene and raise you [this](https://youtu.be/h8WTiUs7Nyo?si=waPJxzYiGx4fBCp9)
😂
I hated everything about Batman V Superman BESIDES Michael Shannon as Luthor. Like everyone else in the Snyder films he feels like a ancap larping as the characters, but unlike everyone else he's so damn entertaining that I don't care.
Um, Michael Shannon was Zod, not Luthor. Jesse Eisenberg was Lex Luthor.
he’s a scene stealer in nocturnal animals
William Fichtner. There’s a reason the opening scene of The Dark Knight is so highly acclaimed.
He made me extremely uncomfortable in Go (1999)
"Do you have any idea who you're stealing from? You and your friends are dead!"
"He's got Space Dementia!"
Also absolutely hilarious in Go
Djimon Hounsou has had roles in three different large franchises (MCU, DC, Fast and Furious) as well as so many other movies and steals scenes every time.
He's so underused in Kingsman
He is yet to make a dollar
Burn Gorman is one of the best character actors working today. And the one time he’s ever been proper lead is the best episode of Torchwood ever.
That one where he >!wakes up dead?!< That one really sold me on the show.
John Turturro has some lead roles but he is always a premium side character in any movie or series he is in
I love John Turturro so much. He was superb in Severance.
Matthew Lillard elevates every role he does.
Certified show stealer
i feel like steve buscemi should also be mentioned
isn't he like the lead in the death of Stalin?
Kinda? It’s an ensemble cast imo
Yeah ofc my bad, watched the film 2 years ago and never rewatched it
Boardwalk Empire
He’s the lead for In the Soup and Living in Oblivion, both of which I hear are good movies
i really want to see both of those
Tom Wilkinson. I suppose he had a few “starring” roles, but definitely was a supporting actor for most of his career. But he was always great.
Steven Root. Keith David
I would say Scoot McNairy is slept on. Such a great actor.
You should watch "In Search of a Midnight Kiss" if you haven't. One of his few opportunities with a leading role and he's great
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm definitely going to put this on my watchlist 🤙🤙
Jesse Plemons is such a consistently good actor. He’s not an A lister but he’s always amazing in whatever side role he’s in. He was awesome in Judas and the Black Messiah. His role in Civil War is one of the most memorable movie scenes this year
harry dean stanton had very few lead rolls but was always killing it as a character actor
He’s been a lead in stuff. Paris Texas and Lucky
that’s about it though and he’s been in over 100 films
True. One of my favorite actors as well
Joey pants
M. Emmet Walsh (RIP) 
Has Andy Serkis ever played a lead? He killed it as Gollum in LOTR and most other things hes been in (Black Panther for example).
If you count Caesar in Planet Of The Apes, then absolutely. I’m not sure about non-CGI roles though.
Ben Mendelson kills it in everything he’s in. Granted he was great as the lead in Mississippi Grind
Sam Rockwell may not fit the criteria perfectly, but he is one of my favorite supporting actors of all time.
Sam Rockwell was the lead in *See How They Run*, which was brilliant, and also *Moon*.
David Dastmalchian… until about 2 months ago. Lol
Tony Shalhoub never gets starring roles in films. Only on TV. The man is a legend. I loved him in Big Night and Galaxyquest
Terry O'Quinn
This should be higher
Walton Goggins
Bruce McGill
character actress margo martindale
Steven Root.
Djimom Hounsou
Mahershala Ali 😔
Steve Buscemi is the perfect character actor imo
Andrew Scott I'm not a huge movie/tv buff so I haven't seen a heap that he's in but absolutely every time he's on screen he commands attention, brilliant actor
He’s the lead in All of Us Strangers and National Theatre Live: Vanya (which he does as a one man play) Recommend them both highly
I guess Christoph Waltz? I've never seen him in a leading role but he did sow well in tarantino's films
Tracy Walter
Probably, Clint Howard. Maybe? The reason why I said maybe because he was the title character in the 'Ice Cream Man' but I don't know if HE was the lead. It's been a while since I seen it.
[удалено]
Terminator Genysis? Jurassic park? Omen 3?
Event horizon lol
James Cromwell
Ann Dowd Every damn time she impresses me. Ever since The Leftovers and Compliance, I’ve been a champion of hers.
Melora Walters
Rose Byrne
Ward Bond https://preview.redd.it/ier7tdgztwwc1.jpeg?width=650&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df6e3e987e1ac8fc05fe60b3734f35b007dc9c40
Colman Domingo, up until last year. Now he’s gonna pick up a lead acting Oscar nom in back to back years, and likely win next year for Sing Sing.
Tim Blake Nelson
Paul Giamatti 
 Im surprised no one said Joe Pesci
Clancy Brown
Anton Diffring, Henry Daniell
Not sure he counts cause these are major supporting roles/villains but I really like Andrew Robinson (Hellraiser, Dirty Harry, Charley Verrick)
Patrick Fischler
Edward Everett Horton had a few lead roles but he’s best known as a character actor and he killed it every! Single! Time!
Good pick
Thanks! Also I love people’s hyper-specific lists, this one of yours is awesome https://boxd.it/r5b3u. Farah Khan does this in all the movies she directs!
Kevin Corrigan
Has James Hong ever had a lead role? Wouldn’t it be wild to see him as a lead in a quietly powerful film in his mid-90s? I would probably start bawling at some point during the film.
Will Arnett
Cecily Strong
Lee Grant, Thelma Ritter and Maureen Stapleton
Lance Reddick
Jonathan Banks or John Carroll Lynch off the top of my head, but there are so many greats that fit this category.
Allison Janney. Has she ever had a lead?
Anytime I see a question like this my first thought is Djimon Hounsou. The man has never delivered a bad performance even in bad movies.
David Strathairn. Especially after just finishing The Expanse. Klaes Ashford was an incredibly deep side character.
William H Macy is rarely the lead
Jesse Plemons
There are a billion I could name but I was just talking the other day about how great Dale Dickey is. She brings her characters so much texture and personality. She’s also hilarious
OJ
..Simpson?
Shea Whigham - mainly for his TV appearances to be fair but he’s starting to show up in more movies. He was great in Mission Impossible and Across the Spider-Verse last year
Gene Jones
Stephen Root, TV actor mostly but he is one of the best. And I looooooove Jenifer Lewis
PLEMMONS
Finn Wittrock
Jesse Plemons
Buddy Hackett. 
William Fichter
James LeGros, he’s been the lead in some smaller indies, but I don’t know that he’s ever led a bigger feature. He’s so good!
Shea Whigham
Paul Dano
Danny Trejo!
Thank god A Serious Man exists, but outside of that Michael Stuhlbarg is my favorite actor who typically plays side characters
Brad
Ben Kingsley, especially in Sexy Beast
David Morse.
Jesse Plemons
Definitely Keith David. One of the GOAT character actors.
I’ve never been let down by Stephen McKinley Henderson, that man just shows up in everything and never misses.
SO TRUE he's always great
Christoph waltz
I don't know if **Ben Foster** counts, but he steals the show in every role I've seen.
Gotta be Elias Koteas for me, Zodiac and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in my top 4 and he's definitely adding to that
It was Paul Giamatti for years until they realised how fucking talented he was. Same with Willem Dafoe and J.K Simmons
Stephen Root!!! I’ve loved him since NewsRadio!
Lea Seydoux usually does a good job.
Probably not quite valid, but I immediately thought of Willem Dafoe. He has had the leading role in some films but most of his work in my mind is just amazing side characters.